New route to LAX, starting spring 2019, three times a week with A350
Aug 31, 2018, 12:20 pm
#46
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Asia
Programs: AY Gold (OWS), SK Gold (*A Gold), airBaltic VIP, Hilton Gold, PP
Posts: 377
Mar 9, 2019, 4:55 pm
#47
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,491
I am interested in feedback on this LAX-HEL route as it starts. I am considering it for the summer season. Always great to see more choice here and with the 350.
Also, if AY does any specials for the HEL stopover, I am curious where to look as most HEL connecting flights will need to be the next day. If there are suggested posts about HEL overnight stopover suggestions (hotels/related), those thread links are appreciated.
Also, if AY does any specials for the HEL stopover, I am curious where to look as most HEL connecting flights will need to be the next day. If there are suggested posts about HEL overnight stopover suggestions (hotels/related), those thread links are appreciated.
Mar 9, 2019, 11:59 pm
#48
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum (OWE), SK G(*G), BW Diamond
Posts: 810
Does SeatAlerts in EF App show economy load accurately i.e. in classes where seat selection is not typical, are seats still assigned? If yes, based on few data points I would not expect long life expectamcy for LAX, loads look less than 20% for flights within 1-2months. Then on one hand, have not seen that much campaigns either so maybe EF is not to be trusted.
Mar 10, 2019, 12:23 am
#49
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Lumo, BA Silver, HHonors Gold
Posts: 4,267
Does SeatAlerts in EF App show economy load accurately i.e. in classes where seat selection is not typical, are seats still assigned? If yes, based on few data points I would not expect long life expectamcy for LAX, loads look less than 20% for flights within 1-2months. Then on one hand, have not seen that much campaigns either so maybe EF is not to be trusted.
Mar 10, 2019, 1:04 am
#50
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum (OWE), SK G(*G), BW Diamond
Posts: 810
That is what i suspected, so with 10 seats taken in J, either one should expect first class level personal service or "lomanoloinen" -service that is handled by Y FA's when they have free time. Remains too see which one, but definately doesnt seem to be premium-heavy service vs. BA's LAX, I wonder why 
Mar 10, 2019, 1:14 am
#51
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Lumo, BA Silver, HHonors Gold
Posts: 4,267
10 seats taken 1-2 months out might not be that bad really? I know some, myself included, who are not overly eager about the AY 359 J....I know it is direct but regardless I prefer the 333 to JFK and AA 321T from there, immigration done en route so when in LAX you can just walk out. Long day but I prefer the 333, love AA 321T J, JFK Flagship is nice and the extra points don’t hurt either. Doing this again soon and selected it over the direct 359 service, which is great for many, I’m sure..I’m just not a fan of the (AY) 359 J and avoid it when easily arranged.
Last edited by NoWindowSeat; Mar 10, 2019 at 1:20 am
Mar 10, 2019, 6:54 pm
#52
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
10 seats taken 1-2 months out might not be that bad really? I know some, myself included, who are not overly eager about the AY 359 J....I know it is direct but regardless I prefer the 333 to JFK and AA 321T from there, immigration done en route so when in LAX you can just walk out. Long day but I prefer the 333, love AA 321T J, JFK Flagship is nice and the extra points don’t hurt either. Doing this again soon and selected it over the direct 359 service, which is great for many, I’m sure..I’m just not a fan of the (AY) 359 J and avoid it when easily arranged.
Mar 11, 2019, 1:08 am
#53
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Lumo, BA Silver, HHonors Gold
Posts: 4,267
Yeah I didn’t touch the LAX lounges, QF F is just great there, just pointing to JFK flagship being nice as that’s where the transit to LAX happens when coming with AY and avoiding the 359.
Mar 11, 2019, 8:54 am
#54
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: try to stay home
Programs: AY, M&M, BAEC ...and don t care of status anymore
Posts: 2,041
I just checked prices on AY to LAX - I can t see a reason why I should pay roughly a 1000€ premium compared to other airlines (LOT/SAS). AY play this game with competitive prices, if they don t there is not much reason to go on board of the A350 - just a cramped medicore experience.
Mar 11, 2019, 12:41 pm
#55
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: C2
Programs: AY ex-Lumo, TK Elite, BT VIP, ITA Executive
Posts: 1,157
I also generally prefer the A333 J seat to the A359 J seat. But I do find that the higher humidity of the A359 cabin does (for me) make a significant difference in terms of how well I feel after a long flight. Therefore, in terms of overall comfort, I would probably call it a wash. And although it has declined in quality over the years, the QF F lounge is still the best lounge in the United States in my opinion (I recognize that only Plats and other OWE would have access).
Mar 11, 2019, 12:45 pm
#56
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,491
Oh I am quite sure AY will normalize fares after the route actually launches later this month, and they get a better idea of load factors.
In terms of LAX lounges, my ranking is as such:
1) QF F lounge (dine on demand primarily)
2) AA LAX Flagship (remember TBIT is connected to T4 airside) (access rules indicates those flying OW Business or First such as on AY or OWE/OWS)
3) QF/OW Business lounge (very crowded)
Not many people understand the AA LAX Flagship access for OW flights and that is okay with me. I definitely enjoyed the AA LAX Flagship food over the QF Business. All you will need to do is scan your AY boarding pass for AA or QF even if you do not get an AY invitation. OW airlines like BA routinely do not mention access to the AA lounge in T4, it is an only if you know situation.
In terms of LAX lounges, my ranking is as such:
1) QF F lounge (dine on demand primarily)
2) AA LAX Flagship (remember TBIT is connected to T4 airside) (access rules indicates those flying OW Business or First such as on AY or OWE/OWS)
3) QF/OW Business lounge (very crowded)
Not many people understand the AA LAX Flagship access for OW flights and that is okay with me. I definitely enjoyed the AA LAX Flagship food over the QF Business. All you will need to do is scan your AY boarding pass for AA or QF even if you do not get an AY invitation. OW airlines like BA routinely do not mention access to the AA lounge in T4, it is an only if you know situation.
Mar 11, 2019, 1:04 pm
#57
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Lumo, BA Silver, HHonors Gold
Posts: 4,267
Indeed, and to add to these old school fixations, this old fart also likes BA 747 UD so that's my choice from the West Coast, as long as the Queen of Skies is still flying. Connecting via JFK on the way back is not to my liking that much, early morning departure...I rather "waste" the next day at LHR/up in the air.
Mar 11, 2019, 1:14 pm
#58
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
AA Flagship—which, as someone else has pointed out, is perfectly fine—opens much earlier.
Mar 11, 2019, 1:20 pm
#59
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Indeed, and to add to these old school fixations, this old fart also likes BA 747 UD so that's my choice from the West Coast, as long as the Queen of Skies is still flying. Connecting via JFK on the way back is not to my liking that much, early morning departure...I rather "waste" the next day at LHR/up in the air.
Side note, I saw the BA 747 with the 100-year-anniversary retro livery at LAX the other day. She was a beauty!
Mar 11, 2019, 1:24 pm
#60
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Lumo, BA Silver, HHonors Gold
Posts: 4,267
